OREM, Utah – Friday was a good day for the University of Idaho track and field teams as both took the lead heading into the final day of the Western Athletic Conference Championship Meet.

Director of track and field Wayne Phipps and head track and field coach Julie Taylor praised the efforts of the Vandals on a day when the women built a 74-56 lead over current runner-up Utah Valley and the men put together an 84-67 edge, also over Utah Valley.

“We had an awesome day today,” said Phipps after Vandals won five events – three by the men and two by the women. “We are asking a lot from the people we brought to this meet and I couldn’t be more proud of the way both teams have competed.

“We have put ourselves in a very good position for tomorrow.”

The most dominant event of the for the Vandals was the men’s shot put, which was won by Andrey Levkiv (48 feet, 4½ inches) with Juan Medina (50-1¼) in third and Kyle Rothwell (49-10) in fourth.

Two freshmen captured titles with Arphaxad Carroll winning the long jump (23-7½) and Katelyn Peterson taking the high jump (5-10½). Tyler Bennett also picked up some points in the long jump with his third with a jump of 22-7.

Matt Sullivan won the pole vault in 17-7¼ and Dylan Watts was third (15-11¼).

The women’s strong showing in the 3000-meter steeplechase helped widen their lead with Alycia Butterworth winning in 10 minutes, 50.89 seconds. Holly Stanton was second in 11:09.89 and Emma Balzs was sixth in 11:56.86.

“It was an amazing day,” Taylor said. “We had a number of great performances. We had so many kids who really stepped up and perform at a high level. Our kids really came through. I’m really proud of how they competed today.”